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AGENT'S GENERAL.
(from our London correspondent.)
Sir John Bray, the Agent-General
for South Australia, has denied the re
port that ' lie is tired of camparative
inactivity in London, and is anxious
to return to Adelaide and re-enter
political life. The report must have
been set afloat bv a verv isrnorant man
indeed, for nobody who has observed
how eagerly the position of Agent-
General in London is sought after by
Colonials would believe one of these
officials capable of wishing to exchange
the peaceful comfort of Westminster
for the bustle of colonial political life.
The represantatives of the seven Aus
tralian colonies," whose offices are sit
uated side by side facing the West
minster Palace Hotel, have a very
snug time of it. True, they are nob
classed in the same category with the
ambassadors from European Courts,
nor have they a recognised position
at the Court of St James's, bub this is
a grievance which they hope will be
removed at some future time. Mean
while, they stand on the same footing
as American consuls in London, and
as such they form an interesting link
in the connection between " Greater
Britain" and the old country.
Sir Saul Samuel, the Agent-General
for New South Wales, has occupied
f.na fimna fni» mnntr uoare nnrl ac Via
was wary enough to induce his Gov
ernment to alter the appointment from
a Government to a Civil Service posi
tion, his tenure of office is in his own
keeping. But he is a hard worker,
and the colony have no need to re
gret their inability to remove him-
The Hon. James Munro, "who came
over to represent Victoria, has re
turned on a three months' leave of
absence to the colony, generously
granted to him for the purpose of
meeting the ' liquidators of the Real
Estate Mortgage and Deposit bank
which failed for over half-a-million
sterling. Mr Munro was chairman of
this ill-fated concern, and he appointed
himself Agent-General just before the
.bank : smashed, and the ugliest of
rumours becaniecurrenbin consequence.
These rumours could nob be left un
contradicted, so, although his three
year terra of office was not nearly com
pleted, he returned to Australia,
promising to come back and re-assume
his position in London immediately he
had. vindicated his character. But a
cablegram reached London, saying
that Mr Munro intends to resign his
appointment, finding the English
climate unsuitable to his health.
Qa'eensland's interests are very safe
while Sir James Garrick is in London,
for he is an able financier, arid a man
who not only knows what is best for liis
colony, but contrives to get it. But in
Queensland tlie office is a political one,
and, when the Ministry go out of office,
Sir James go s with it. : Sir J ohn'Bray
in the South Australian office, has. Mr
Samuel Dealing, a colleague who '
thoroughly understands the business
riflnR office. New Vealand and Tas-
mania are respectively represented by
the Hon W B. Percival and Sir Edward
Braddon, both of whom have their
hearts in their work. Mr Percival,
who is the youngest , Agent-General in
London, regards red tape as a wile of tho
devil; and so long -as lie can push the
interests of his colony and inc ease her'
commerce, he prefers to regulate his
actions by common sens V Sir Edward
Braddon has done for 'Tasmania, -what
Mr Percival is doiDg for New Zealand.
He has lectured about his colony, .written
about it, aud worked like a . nigger to
keep it well before tlie public . > and tho
colony appreciates : tho efforts lie has
made in her behalf.
The youngest" c .-lony of the-_ group-
Western Australiai-has ; only ' been in
possession . ofa London office for twelve
month--, and up to, now . she . has made
very poor use of. the privilege. . There
is a current saying that West Auslra1
lians.; y xuere is perteotty true,; Tlieir
heads are rathermore swollen bhan those
of their follows/and Sir Malcolm Fraser,
who has : all. tho" peculiarities: of.: bis
countrymon; Iteeps himself very rrieloet.'
While all the other . Agepts-Geiieral are'
accessible to every:; one who. calls upon
them, Sir Malool m -'Frasef is as difficult
to ictorview as r ho -Prime Mini ter, nor
is ho overwhelmingly: courteous wheii
yon do see liinil ' However, Hie is only
a warmbg-panforSitvWilliamRobjqsbnr
the present Governor of tho colony, and
when he tubes : ap.the;: positioh ab'; tlio
pipir ation of his - vice-regiil term . ifc is'
expected that a very different stato ef
affaivs will bo created. Let us hope so!
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